Avoiding last minute breastfeeding panic

[fernie3]

Long story but I wanted to breastfeed my first but after she wouldnt latch on straight away the midwife started randomly squeezing man handling with syringes - no idea if this was normal but hated it left the hospital bottle feeding. My second never had any real effort just decided to bottle feed. My third I went all through pregnancy determined to breastfeed but after the birth was suddenly overcome by waves of horror and refused to at the first feed (no idea why just went a little insane). I left the hospital bottlefeeding but within a few days regretted it and started trying to breastfeed, by this time she was used to the bottle and had problems getting milk supply up after not breastfeeding the first week we managed half breast half bottle for around 8 weeks. I actually enjoyed breastfeeding her and had no problems at all, no pain no issues with anything. I want to breatsfeed this time but I am now worried that I will change my mind for no reason after the birth!.

Last time the midwife and my husband both tried to talk me out of the bottle but I was so dazed after v quick birth etc that I just refused and in the end they cant exactly hold me down and force me can they!.

I know your probably reading this thinking "well just dont change your mind" but to be honest I dont even rememver why I did...did anyone else do this? Does anyone else have any ideas of how to reduce the risk of me doing this again!?

loads of skin to skin after your DC is born

ask to be left with the baby and your DH in a calm an atmosphere as possible

just hold your baby on your chest and let her nuzzle into you and latch

you can look at biological nurturing as well

Hello

Not sure how helpful all these suggestions will be, but just wanted to give you some ideas, so just take whichever ones you think might help.

Could you find a local breastfeeding group which you can go along to before the birth, so that you see other women breastfeeding and it becomes more of a normal/natural thing? This would also help if you need any help and support after the birth as you will already know the helpers/peer supporters there.

I think you need to make the midwives aware (maybe in your birth plan, and/or discuss with a midwife at a late appointment) that you don't want to be touched (when helping with breastfeeding) without your permission. There is no reason for them to "manhandle" you, but sadly it happens a lot!

Can you request skin to skin contact after the birth with your baby? Even if you have had drugs/assisted delivery/a c-section, in most cases, this is possible. If you have a normal delivery and the baby is healthy at birth etc, then you might even be able to do biological nurturing at birth Amazing video here - which is basically where you put the baby on your chest and wait for them to find the breast by themself. That video doesn't show the timings but it can take anything from a few minutes to an hour or more, but they will find it by themselves and even with a few near misses, if you resist the urge to help them they will get there